didanosine and Esophageal-and-Gastric-Varices

Topics: Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Biopsy; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Didanosine; Endothelium, Vascular; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematemesis; Hepatomegaly; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver; Liver Function Tests

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is an unusual but potentially serious liver disorder in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with prolonged exposure to didanosine. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis is often delayed. It is postulated that didanosine contributes to obliterative portal venopathy and causes portal hypertension. Affected patients may present with abnormal liver function or signs of portal hypertension, while the diagnosis usually depends on liver biopsy. We report a case of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient. The reported histological features include nodular regenerative hyperplasia and hepatoportal sclerosis. Early recognition is important as timely management of severe portal hypertension may prevent potentially fatal gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Topics: Anti-HIV Agents; Didanosine; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; HIV Infections; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Didanosine; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hypertension, Portal; Liver; Liver Diseases; Liver Regeneration; Middle Aged